POULTRY-CRAFT. 253 
384. Wild or Canada Geese —are of a different species from the 
domestic goose, and in structure and habits more resemble swans. Stand- 
ard weights are the same as for the Chinese. Color very dark gray; bill and 
legs black. ,They are often 
|| kept in captivity as orna- 
| mental fowl, and in such 
| circumstances rarely breed. 
| When bred to produce 
| birds for breeding mon- 
grels they are given more 
liberty. One wing is crip- 
| pled to prevent flight. 
385. Egyptian Geese. 
— Standard weights: adult 
gander, 1olbs. ; young gan- 
Fig. 94. Wild Geese,—in the foreground. der, 8 Ibs.; adult goose, S 
(By courtesy of Chas. McClave). lbs. ; young goose, 6 lbs. 
Purely ornamental fowls, handsomely colored with black, gray, and buff; 
bills purplish, legs reddish yellow. 
386. Buying Stock.— For the goose breeder it is particularly desirable 
that stock should be purchased early in the fall. If purchased near the begin- 
ning of the breeding season, the birds may not mate satisfactorily; and as the 
female is not likely to lay well until acclimated and accustomed to new sur- 
roundings, the better part of the season is lost even when the birds do mate. 
Old birds are more desirable as breeders than young ones. Females are said 
to be profitable up to ten or twelve years of age, and males to the age of six 
or seven years. Prices for ordinary good breeding stock are from $3 to $5 
per bird. Eggs are sold generally at so much apiece,— 25 cts. to 50 cts.,—or 
at so much a dozen — $2.50 to $5. 
387. Mating — Points for the Breeder.—(See also {J 193—214). 
Standard specimens of both sexes are used in matings to produce exhibition— ~ 
stock, in all varieties of geese, and generally by growers using thoroughbreds 
to produce market stock, most of whom sell as many as possible of their best 
birds for breeding. 
In breeding geese for market only, cross breeding is usual in the. localities 
where geese are grown most extensively. A mating preferred by one of the 
best growers in Rhode Island is: — African ganders with common white or 
gray geese. This mating gives goslings larger than common stock, less diffi- 
cult to pick, and more attractive when dressed than the African.* 
*Nore.— Numerous crosses have been made on an experimental scale at the Rhode 
Island Agricultural Experiment Station. The results are of great interest, indicating 
